Eagle-eyed viewers quickly noticed something in Meghan’s hand. Pressed against her Gucci handbag appears to be an iPhone – an item the royal family are rarely seen with in public.

“Is it against ‘protocol’ for her to have one or be seen with one?” one fan asked.

Eagle eyed royal watchers noticed something in Meghan’s hand as they say their farewells at Melbourne Airport. Image: Twitter/Governor of Victoria

Meghan can be seen clutching onto what appears to be an iPhone X as they prepare to depart Melbourne. Image: Twitter/Governor of Victoria

“That is not right. Meeting officials of the country, at least put your phone into your handbag instead of holding it in your hand,” another wrote.

While it is uncommon for members of the royal family to be seen in public using or carrying a phone, it is not considered to be breaking royal protocol.

The snap comes just days after her husband, who was also spotted with a phone in his pocket, offered to take a photo of his wife and a young look-a-like outside the Sydney Opera House with a phone handed to him from the crowd.

Casual royals go barefoot for Fluro Friday

The Duke and Duchess stripped off their shoes as they hit Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach Friday morning to meet with surfing group OneWave, an organisation raising awareness for mental health.